Gershwin: Porgy and Bess - Oh Lawd, I'm on my way (Willard White)

[maysonguild]

Gershwin's brain was in the grips of the terminal process of his life.

Maybe this had something to do with the magnitude of the event because I think it is a singular acheivement.

It is one of the great works of humanity and the derector of this piece beautifully realizes it.

A work of genious.

[JOEdoesThings22]

for once 0 people are idiots!

[CorijnLars]

It's so amazing ... What a vocals, Thank God for George Gershwin!

[tashmoobabe]

I have never been able not to cry during this scene. The way the orchestra fills in the rhythmic gaps, the excitement, a man courageously finding his legs and his journey, with the community behind him. Gershwin, the most overrated (because popular), and the most underrated (as a serious composer).

[TayBunny]

I LOVED BEING THIS PLAY!!! IT WAS THE BEST THING I EVER DID.

[butt5gus]

Where can one find this movie, original or otherwise? I have searched everywhere.

[70Tamas]

@butt5gus You can buy it e.g. from Amazon.

[stevevandien]

I love P&B. Some of the greatest music any American has ever written. "Bess, You is My Woman Now" brings tears to my baby blues, and "Oh Lawd" never fails to give me chills:) --

[atwillie]

It moves my heart! This last scene show's Porgy's determination! I'm sure he found Bess in New York City!

[fontinau]

@atwillie That's the spirit. And maybe he really did find her. Gershwin and Dubose Heyward were talking about writing another opera, about Porgy in New York. But then they both died, so it didn't happen. So we'll never know.

God damn it,

[atwillie]

I love it too! I moves my Heart!

[MedSkoo]

I luv this song soooo much......its a shame that not many people appreciate it as much as they should

[UncleVicEsq]

I rarely comment, but this discussion is a good one. When I was teaching eighth grade in the 80's, I played Porgy and Bess for the class. At the end, I asked the students how many thought that Porgy would find Bess. They all raised their hands. I practically broke out in tears, but was able to control myself. It seems impossible for Porgy to get there, let alone find her. Well, it says something about the attitude of youth, and now, thirty years later, I tend to agree with those students.

[naydentodorov]

I might be wrong, but!:

For me it says - he is on his way, but he will never arrive... And this makes it tragic.

Even, if he was with his cart, how could he find her in NY?

Amazing music, fantasic staged.

[maysonguild]

It is none the less a trajic scene because the odds in his favor are small.Yet this is what elevates Porgy to truly heroic dimensions.

[maysonguild]

I'm also grateful.But I couldn't disagree strongly enough with the comment taking exception to him throwing away his crutches.He was far from "able bodied" .The whole point of this climacteric scene is the once pathetic Porgy is now spiritualy edified by his love for and response-ability to Bess. Hence he rejects anything that might compromise his sense of personal empowerment.He has found true faith ...in life,his own .The scene was composed brilliantly.A spitual pageant .down to every face.

[idrawbetterthanyouXD]

lol heard this in music class today XD so i had to find it :3 thank you

[al1936ful]

Sorry for the typo. Here it is again:

Thanks for posting. I have this on DVD. I hope they put even more of this "Porgy and Bess" online; it is probably better than the 1959 film. They shouldn't have let him drop his crutches and walk in this production, though. it looks too much like a miracle cure, which it isn't supposed to be, and borders on the offensive. Porgy is supposed to either ride out on his goat cart or walk out with crutches. He's not supposd to suddenly become able-bodied.

[al1936ful]

Thanks for posting. I have this on DVD. I hope they put even more of this "Porgy and Bess" online; it is probably better than the 1959 film. They shouldn't have let him drop his crutcheswalk in this production, though. it looks too much like a miracle cure, which it isn't supposed to be, and borders on the offensive. Porgy is supposed to either ride out on his goat cart or walk out with crutches. He's not supposd to suddenly become able-bodied.